OKLAHOMA CITY 
After a round of severe weather caused thousands of power outages and
millions of dollars in damages, Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John
D. Doak has declared an emergency in Oklahoma. The declaration allows
emergency claims adjusters to obtain temporary licenses to expedite
the insurance claims process and provide immediate assistance to impacted
Oklahomans.

I will do
all I can to make sure Oklahomans get the help they need as quickly
as possible, said Doak. We know insurers are already stretched
thin from the May tornadoes, so we need to make sure they can bring
in additional people to handle these claims and take care of policyholders.

A line of severe
thunderstorms with powerful winds blew across northeast Oklahoma late
Tuesday night and early Wednesday, bringing down trees and power lines
and damaging roofs in several counties.

Commissioner Doak
offers the following tips for storm victims:
Call your insurance company or agent as soon as possible. Ask
what forms, documents and information you will need to provide in order
to process your claim.
Take photos or video of the damage.
Make the necessary repairs to prevent further damage to the property.
Examples include covering broken windows, leaking roofs and damaged
walls. Do not make permanent repairs until your insurance company has
inspected the property and you have reached an agreement with them on
the cost of appropriate repairs.
Save all receipts, including those from the temporary repairs
that might be covered by your insurance policy.
If your home is damaged to the extent that it is unlivable, ask
your insurer if you have coverage for living expenses incurred while
repairs are being made. Save all receipts to document these costs.

What Damage to
Your Home is Covered?

Damages caused by
wind, wind-driven rain, trees or other falling objects, and the collapse
of a structure are covered under most standard homeowners policies.
However, you should review your individual insurance contract to determine
specific coverage and exclusions. Check your policy and call your insurance
agent or company for clarification with specific questions.

What Damage to
Your Home is Not Covered?

The following weather-related
events are usually not covered by standard homeowners insurance policies:
Interior storm-water damage when there was no damage to the home's
roof or walls
Flood damages
Removal of fallen trees from the property, unless those trees
land on and damage the roof and walls of the home
Food spoilage due to power outages
Water damage from backed-up drains or sewers

Oklahomans with
insurance questions are encouraged to call the OIDs Consumer Assistance
Division at 1-800-522-0071.

For more information
contact:

Kelly Collins(405) 522-0683Kelly.Collins@oid.ok.gov

About the Oklahoma
Insurance Department

The Oklahoma Insurance
Department, an agency of the State of Oklahoma, is responsible for the
education and protection of the insurance-buying public and for oversight
of the insurance industry in the state.

Winds
Estimated At More Than 70 Miles Per Hour

This
major limb was blown from a tree by the alley in the parking lot of the Bank
of the Lakes (and former ESC) a half block from City Hall. There were a bunch
of people standing under that limb just days before as the awards were presented
after the Rock Gym's 5K Run Friday.

This
entire tree (in a yard at 19th and Oak) was uprooted by the late evening wind
storm accompanied by lightning and rain Tuesday. The tree appear to be mostly
dead already so didn't have much of a root system.

I
never lost (city) power at my house overnight and had it at work this morning
so didn't think it was a local issue (just Tulsa) but after a quick check of
Facebook complaints of power outages in this area ... checked the VVEC
web site and found they are still working relative low numbers of outages
in several areas. -- Ted Wright -- noon July 24, 2013 (from strong winds overnight)Update (Thursday 4pm) VVEC has now cleared the outage
map above except for 1 square mile (with 2-10 folks impacted) just west of Highway
75 on Highway 20)

This
photo was taken Tuesday afternoon (before the windstorm) showing some parched
looking new sod by the new portion of trail in City Park. I'm not sure how long
the new the sod had been in place but suspect it benefitted by about 3 inches
of rain Sunday July 21st and then a bit more Tuesday night (July 23rd). -- Ted
Wright

Note:
I suspect there may have been other wind damage in Collinsville Tuesday night
... but the two trees above were the only big ones I've seen in my short commutes
to work this week. -- Ted